Cap de Creus

Spring:

During spring, when the heat is not very intense, the Natural Park of Cap de Creus is perfect place for birdwatching. At the end of March we can start to watch the first couples of Red-rumped Swallow(Hirundo daurica) and the Pallid swifts (Apus pallidus), which are very common especially in the urban areas and at the coast. The rock outcropsÂ are the habitat of the Blue Rock Thrush(Monticola solitarius) and the always difficult CommonRock thrush (Monticola saxatilis). In the evening we can hear the unmistakable song of European Nightjar(Caprimulgus europaeus) and the Little Owl (Athene noctua). In the cliffs you can watch the Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciatus) and in the scrub areas will begun to show us their presence the European Roller (Coracias garrulus).

Â Summer:

Summer is a great time to watch species making their nests in the zone. In the schrubland the Spectacled Warbler(Sylvia conspicillata), the Subalpine Warbler(Sylvia cantillans), the Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata) and the Black-eared Wheatear(Oenanthe hispanica), the Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) and Tawny Pipit(Anthus campestris) start breeding season. In the oaks and olive tree forest theÂ Western Orphean Warbler(Sylvia hortensis) and the Melodious Warbler(Hippolais polyglotta) are quite common. During the summer, we will be able to see species like Great Spotted Cuckoo(Clamator glandarius), the European Bee- eater(Merops apiaster) and the Lesser Kestrel(Falco namanni). In the ravines with riverside vegetation isÂ the perfect habitat for the Eurasian GoldenOriole(Oriolus oriole), the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker(Dendrocopos minor) and the Eurasian Wryneck(Jynx torquilla)

Â Autumn:

Once the summer heat has gone by,Â many nesting species begin their migration towards the south again. Then it’s a great time to watch the Woodchat Shrike(Lanius senator). Autumn is also one of the best times to spot some sea species from the coast like the European Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) and the Coryâ€™s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea). It is also the time to watch the migration of some raptors like the Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) which also is nesting in the park.

Â Winter:

During winter months is the best time of year to observe seabirds from the coast. It’s frequent to watch large concentrations of Balearic Shearwater(Puffinus mauretanicus) with some Northern Gannet(Morus bassanus) and European Shag(Phalacrocorax Aristotelis). In the schrubland we observe the Red-legged Partnidge(Alectoris rufa), the Thekla Lark(Galerida theklae) and Iberian Grey Shrike(Lanius meridionalis). In the raviine areas we will hear the Eurasian Eagle – Owl(Bubo bubo), and we can enjoy the Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus) and itâ€™s not rear to spot a few individuayoung Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos).